No. 129.] 259 



sown broad cast and turned in is far richer. Plants have roots 

 so small that in some cases they are almost invisible ; and on 

 microscopic observation we find that when the delicate ends of 

 these minute fibres touch hard pan, or can no longer go their 

 way, they become blunted, enlarge, and become diseased — so far 

 injuring their plant. This delicate system we must provide for 

 by insuring to them all their proper pabulum or food, for, unless 

 we do so, we might as well undertake to feed a man by putting 

 all his provisions on top of his hat ! 



The roots of Indian corn extend five and a half feet. Lucerne 

 loves a subsoiled and underdrained land. You cannot over- dry 

 a soil by under-drains. You cannot rid it of the water wanted 

 by plants. Every rain brings down the ammonia, &c.; the soil 

 takes that all up for the plants and lets nothing but the pure 

 rainwater pass off. I have subsoiled to the depth of seven- 

 teen inches under a soil ploughed seventeen inches deep, 

 making the whole a thorough tillage of thirty-four inches 

 deep. This labor pays in the very first year's crop. The 

 special manures, such as phosphates, give to a Ruta Baga 

 crop more firmness of consistence, a longer keeping and bet- 

 ter quality for cattle, and they bring more money than those 

 raised the common way. You will see that subsoiling and un- 

 derdraining take away the sourness from land, so that you may 

 ^see that sorrels will not grow on them. Drains have been made 

 with boards, &c., but they are poor things. Underdrains might 

 be covered with what are called saddlers' chips, for these bits of 

 leather will last under ground fifty years. 



President Tallmadge wished to know how water penetrated 

 these tiles. 



Prof. Mapes replied — If you take this tile and cork up both 

 ends tight and put it under water you will find it full of water 

 in two minutes; it percolates through the pores of the unglazed 

 tile. The tile should not have this flat bottom or sole ; it should 

 be formed like the long section of an egg, and the sharp end 

 ought to be down so that the smallest stream of water could 

 make its way along it. 



President Tallmadge — How would you drain level land 7 



